Carrier for portable computer

Abstract

A device for carrying a portable computer having four corners includes a loop-shaped support including four loop portions spaced-apart and connected by three connector portions and a handle portion. Each of the loop portions forms an opening for receiving one of the corners of the computer. The support comprises elastic shock cord so that the support is stretchable over the computer with corners of the computer received in the openings of the loop portions to secure the support to the computer. The user carries the portable computer by grasping and holding the handle portion with the computer hanging therefrom.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to devices for carrying computers, and, more specifically, to devices for carrying portable general purpose computers such as laptops, notebooks, tablets and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently brief cases or other luggage style bags are often used for carrying and protecting portable general purpose computers such as laptops, notebooks, tablets and the like. In order to carry the computer, the computer must be placed in the protective bag. Then in order to use the computer, the computer must be removed from the bag.

While these bags are suitable for many situations, they can be bulky, heavy and offer more protection than necessary in some situations such as movement between rooms in a building, campus, or the like. Additionally, such bags do not enable the user to quickly access and operate the computers. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved device for carrying portable a general purpose computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved device for carrying a portable general purpose computer which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, a device for carrying a portable computer comprises, in combination, a loop-shaped support including a plurality of loop portions spaced-apart and connected by a plurality of connector portions and a handle portion. Each of the loop portions forms an opening for receiving a portion of the computer. At least a portion of the support is resiliently stretchable so that the support is stretchable over the computer with portions of the computer received in the openings of the loop portions to secure the support to the computer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a portable computer and a device for carrying the portable computer comprises, in combination, a portable computer including a rectangularly-shaped housing having corners, a loop-shaped support including a plurality of loop portions spaced-apart and connected by a plurality of connector portions, and a handle portion. Each of the loop portions forms an opening for receiving one of the corners of the computer housing. At least a portion of the support is resiliently stretchable so that the support is stretched over the computer housing with the corners of the computer housing received in the openings of the loop portions to secure the support to the computer.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a device for carrying a portable computer having four corners comprises, in combination, a loop-shaped support including four loop portions spaced-apart and connected by three connector portions and a handle portion. Each of the loop portions forms an opening for receiving one of the corners of the computer. The support comprises elastic shock cord so that the support is stretchable over the computer with corners of the computer received in the openings of the loop portions to secure the support to the computer.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of portable computer carriers. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a high quality, reliable, low cost, low weight and easy to use device having a small package size. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a person using a portable computer carrier according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to carry a portable computer;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the portable computer carrier of FIG. 1 prior to installation onto the portable computer;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the portable computer carrier of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the portable computer carrier of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the portable computer carrier of FIGS. 1 to 5 which is similar to FIG. 2 but the carrier is elastically deformed to better illustrate is form;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a second preferred embodiment of the portable computer carrier; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 but showing a third preferred embodiment of the portable computer carrier.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the portable computer carrier as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes of the various components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the portable computer carrier illustrated in the drawings. In general, up or upward generally refers to an upward direction in FIG. 1 and down or downward generally refers to a downward direction in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved portable computer carrier disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to a portable computer but other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 show a device or carrier 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for carrying a portable computer 12. The illustrated portable computer carrier 10 includes a loop-shaped support 14 including a plurality of loop portions 16 spaced-apart and connected by connector portions 18 and a handle portion 20.

The illustrated portable computer 12 is rectangularly shaped having four corners 22. The portable computer 12 has a width greater than its height, and a height greater than its thickness. Such computers typically have a height of about 10 inches to about 14 inches, a width of about 12 inches to about 15 inches, and a thickness of about 1 inch to 1.5 inches but any other suitable size can be utilized.

The illustrated loop-shaped support 14 includes four loop portions 16 spaced-apart and connected by connector portions 18 and a handle portion. Each illustrated loop portion 16 is generally circular and forming a circular-shaped opening 24 for receiving one of the corners 22 of the computer 12. Each illustrated connector portion 18 and the handle portion 20 is generally straight. The ends of the connector portions 18 and the handle portion extend to opposite sides of the loop portions 16 to form a closed loop. The loop portions 16, the connector portions 18 and the handle portion are preferably sized and shaped so that the support 14 is slightly smaller than the periphery of the computer 12 as described in more detail hereinbelow. For example, the loop portions 16 can have a diameter of about 12 inches and the connector portions 18 can have a length of about 3 to 4 inches. The sizes can be modified to fit any particular model of portable computer 12. The connector portions 18 can be secured to the loop portions 16 in any suitable manner such as, for example, sewing when using textile or molding when using flexible solid plastic tubing.

At least a portion of the support 14 is preferably resiliently stretchable so that the support 14 is stretchable over the periphery of the computer with the corners 22 of the computer 12 received in the openings 24 of the loop portions 16 to secure the support 14 to the computer 12. With the support 14 sized smaller than the computer 12, the support 14 is in a stretched state when about the computer 12 to resiliently grip the computer 12. The loop portions 16 and connector portions 18 preferably each comprise an elastic material. The illustrated loop portions 16 and connector portions 18 are each made of elastic shock cord or “Bungee” cord but any other suitable material can be utilized.

The illustrated handle portion 20 is attached between the upper loop portions 16 at the top of the support 14. The handle portion 20 can be sized and shaped in any suitable manner so that it can be grasped and held by the user. The handle portion 20 can be secured to the support 14 in any suitable manner such as, for example, looped material, mechanical fasteners such as O-rings or D-clips, sewn, or molded. It is noted that alternatively, a fourth connector portion 18 can connect the upper loop portions 16 with the handle portion 20 secured to the fourth connector portion 18 between the upper loop portions 16. As best shown in FIG. 1, with the support 14 secured about the periphery of the computer 12, the user carries the portable computer 12 by grasping and holding the handle portion 20 with the remainder of the support 14 and computer 12 hanging therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 1, the carrier 10 can also accommodate a shoulder strap 26. The strap 26 is secured to the carrier 10 by means O-rings, D-clips or the like near the outer edges of the upper loop portions 16. The strap 26 is clipped onto the carrier at each end of the strap 26 and extends over the user's shoulder to carry/support the portable computer 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates a portable computer carrier 10′ according to a second illustrated embodiment of the present invention wherein like reference numbers are utilized to indicate like structure. The computer carrier 10′ according to the second illustrated embodiment is substantially the same as the computer carrier 10 according to the first illustrated embodiment but illustrates that the connector portions 18 can be formed by other than cords and/or can be formed by other than elastic materials. The illustrated connector members 18′ are formed by non-elastic straps. The support 14 is secured to the computer 12 by the resiliency of the loop portions 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portable computer carrier 10″ according to a third illustrated embodiment of the present invention wherein like reference numbers are utilized to indicate like structure. The computer carrier 10″ according to the third illustrated embodiment is substantially the same as the computer carriers 10, 10′ according to the first and second illustrated embodiments but illustrates that the loop portions 16 can be formed by other than cords and/or can be formed by other than elastic materials. The illustrated loop portions 16′ are formed by non-elastic straps. The support 14 is secured to the computer 12 by the resiliency of the connector members 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, the carrier 10, 10′, 10″ can also accommodate an accessory bag 28. The accessory bag 28 is secured to the carrier by short straps or lengths of material 30 attached to the bag 28 and looped over the loop portions 16 and snapped back onto the bag straps 30 to secure the bag in place. The accessory bag 28 can alternatively be secured to the carrier 10 in any other suitable manner such as, for example, straps of hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO. The accessory bag 28 includes a zipper or otherwise closeable pouch sized and shaped to hold items to be carried with the portable computer 12.

It is apparent from the above detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, that the portable computer carrier provides distinct advantages over prior computer carriers, namely, it is portable, lightweight and easy to use. The present carrier 10 allows the user to carry the portable computer 12 without adding significantly to the weight of the package through use of its non-restrictive and open design. The carrier 12 folds up easily for storage and concealment when not in use.

From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it is also apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

1. A device for carrying a portable computer, said device comprising, in combination:

a loop-shaped support including a plurality of loop portions spaced-apart and connected by a plurality of connector portions;

wherein each of the loop portions forms an opening for receiving a portion of the computer;

wherein at least a portion of the support is resiliently stretchable so that the support is stretchable over the computer with portions of the computer received in the openings of the loop portions to secure the support to the computer; and

a handle portion secured to the support.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the support includes four-spaced apart loop portions.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the support comprises elastic shock cord.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the loop portions comprise elastic shock cord.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the connector portions comprise elastic shock cord.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the connector portions comprise elastic shock cord.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the loop portions are generally circular shaped.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the openings are generally circular shaped.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion extends between two of the loop portions.

10. A portable computer and a device for carrying the portable computer comprising, in combination:

a portable computer including a rectangularly-shaped housing having corners;

a loop-shaped support including a plurality of loop portions spaced-apart and connected by a plurality of connector portions;

wherein each of the loop portions forms an opening for receiving one of the corners of the computer housing;

wherein at least a portion of the support is resiliently stretchable so that the support is stretched over the computer housing with the corners of the computer housing received in the openings of the loop portions to secure the support to the computer; and

a handle portion attached to the support.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the support includes four-spaced apart loop portions.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the computer housing includes four corners.

13. The device according to claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the support comprises elastic shock cord.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the loop portions comprise elastic shock cord.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the connector portions comprise elastic shock cord.

16. The device according to claim 13, wherein the connector portions comprise elastic shock cord.

17. The device according to claim 10, wherein the loop portions are generally circular shaped.

18. The device according to claim 10, wherein the openings are generally circular shaped.

19. The device according to claim 10, wherein the handle portion extends between two of the loop portions.

20. A device for carrying a portable computer having four corners, said device comprising, in combination:

a loop-shaped support including four loop portions spaced-apart and connected by three connector portions and a handle portion;

wherein each of the loop portions forms an opening for receiving one of the corners of the computer; and

wherein the support comprises elastic shock cord so that the support is stretchable over the computer with corners of the computer received in the openings of the loop portions to secure the support to the computer.